you really want to make a difference? Then why don't we have classes in school about discrimination and racism. Why not study those subjects in depth. Explore the ugliness inside of all of us and show how we develop biases which enables hate. No, let's just have a black history month because it's feel good. It might only make Blacks pround and feel placated, but at least we can pat ourselves on the back for it without having to really face the truth. That's just brilliant as you would say.
Do we really need a St. Patricks's Day? Do we really need a Christmas Day? Do we really need Labor Day? Do we really need Memorial Day? Do we really need Veteran's Day? Do we really need MLK Day? Do we really need Hispainic Heritage Month? Of course we need these days! These days are for specific days for people to celebrate. A time to reflect and celebrate what that day represents. We need XMAS day to celebrate our lord and savior. Why? Cause he died on the cross for us. We need to celebrate MLK day. Why? Casue he was persistent for equal rights despite skin color. We need to celebrate Veteran's Day? Why? Becasue those great American's sacrificed thier lives so we can have our freedom I can go on and on. But y'all get the point. Month or day; doesn't matter. Basically every group has a day or month to celebrate and there's nothing wrong about that. I've said it once and I'll say it again. There's no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid people.
For the record: Native American Day: Sept. 4 Hispanic Heritage Month: Begins on Sept. 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18. Texas Indepence Day: March 2 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: May National Italian American Heritage Month: October. Every year the U.S. president signs an executive order designating the month of October as National Italian American Heritage Month. Coinciding with the festivities surrounding Columbus Day, the proclamation is recognition of the many achievements, contributions, and successes of Americans of Italian descent as well as Italians in America. U.S. Independence Day: July 4 Irish-American Heritage Month: March and St. Patrick's Day 3/17/07 German-American Heritage Month: In 1995 GAJAK recommended that a German-American Heritage Month be established, based on the model of other ethnic groups, such as National Hispanic Heritage Month, Polish-American Heritage Month, Italian-American Heritage Month, and National American Indian Heritage Month. It was resolved "to declare the period from mid-September to about mid-October German-American Heritage Month. All of the activities in the German-American community that fall within this period (i.e. Steuben Parades, summer festivals, Oktoberfests, concerts, exhibits and other special events) should be identified as celebrations of our German-American heritage." Polish-American Month: October Greek-American Month: May Jewish-American Week: May Gay & Lesbian Pride Month : June Disability Awareness Month : October Flag Day: June 14 As you can see, everyone has a month or day. Even the flag! If I left out an ethnic group, I'm sorry. But I think I got all the majors here in the U.S. For more, go here: http://www.institutionalequity.tulane.edu/calendar.cfm
As we can see here steps have been taken to recognize a broad range of ethnic groups. Black History Month just receives more focus than the others. That is one form of equality - that everyone gets considered/what one gets the others should get. The question of BHM is fair. That its actually Blacks asking the questions shows that an evaluation of its usefulness is needed, to keep it relevant or do outright do away with it. Its not like changes haven't been made to BHM. It used to be called Negro History Week so just off that its shown to alter itself for the current days' needs. BHM as a time to for society to observe Blacks in a positive light and Black to celebrate themselves isnt any different than the other times like Hispanic Heritage Month or Gay & Lesbian Pride Month. Don't think that part gets fussed about. It being much more implemented onto the curriculum is where the fuss is. Along with societal observance of Black people, the point of BHM was to be a supplement to history teaching and over time have full inclusion into it. Part of the problem there is the subject of history ITSELF. History has long been a poorly taught subject, resorting to tall tales and legend rather than factual accounts of how things really happened in WHITE culture or ANY culture. Grades K through 12 tell the diluted altered feel good account of history. Then off to college to take 1-2 courses where 75% of it is about "debunking the myths" what you been previously taught. My theory - Besides BHM and all other ethnic observances being about inclusion, they kinda put pressure on History the subject to "shape up" itself and be correct not just about non-whites but themselves too.
Ok that is pathetic. There really is a day for everything. I think almost all of those are not usefull. I voted that a black history month is not needed. But if there are so many useless days, i can imagine that people want a black history month. However I still think it is not needed.
I have no problem with Black history month, in-fact I truly am appreciate it. If it weren't for Black history month, how could I've known that William Jefferson Clinton was our greatest and only black president in the history of our great country!
I agree. this thread makes it sound like black people have some sort of advantage because of black history month. the only thing gained is knowledge for everyone.
I think my point is being missed. Knowledge is good, empowering.....awesome ! I just think that it should be taught anyway, and not referencing skin color. Whenever you teach about George Washington Carver, also teach the hardships he had at the time, which make his accomplishments that much more extraordinary. I just think focusing on skin color of any type is wrong...people are people. DD
the hardships are in direct correlation with his skin color. you want to bury the past. I tried to avoid this criticism but I've had a similar debate with you when I first started posting here. you tried to equate us slavery to egyptian slavery saying it was "ancient" history. which was ridiculous.
I agree with DD. You should focus on people not skin color. We are all equal, and the same. If we focus on differences like skin color(or religion) we just devide people, and make room or racism. So do you as a person still suffer from Slavery? Or do I now have anything to do with Slavery? It is both history. The slavery of black people is not as long ago as the slavery in egypt. But both is history. We should not forget the past, and learn from mistakes made.
my great aunt, who is still alive, knew an ex slave from my family when she was young. we're a lot closer to the effects of slavery than people care to admit or realize. are we slowly correcting the past sure, but it wasn't that long ago. its so funny, you guys try to hide your arguments behind some noble cause when the real message is I'm tired of black people throwing racism in my face.
and like I said earlier, if black history month causes someone to divide themself from me, they were looking for an excuse.
As pgabs said, his skin color directly affected the hardships faced by some so it is almost unavoidable to not discuss it. Slavery isn't that far past though and some of its effects can still be seen.
First of all. You people??? What do you mean with You people? Secondly. You Great aunt knew an ex slave when she was young. So with that you try to say that You personally did not suffer from slavery? right? Don't get me wrong, I think Slavery was a terrible thing. It is terrible people did those things(the same goes for what happened in WO2 or what happened in Rwanda or the crusades etc.) We should never forget that those things happened. however I personally do not have anything to do with slavery. Also i'm not responsible for what people in the past did. I had nothing to do with it. But don't you agree it is bad to focus on the differences of people? I do not see a difference between people, basically we are all mostly the same.
I Agree with you on that. I also think there are people who want to divide people in groups so that they know who they should like and dislike. But that is a bad thing to do. and i do not want to be part of it. Like i said before I'm not realy against Black history Month, i just do not see the point. But the same goes for all those other days/months ryan17wagner mentioned.
first of all stop putting words in my mouth. you are trying to get me to say I suffered from slavery. that would be silly. stop trying to make that point. the point is the effects of slavery are still seen in this country. I don't even know how we got on this subject, I was just making a point about an earlier topic I discussed with dadakota. my point wasn't black people still suffer from slavery, my point is slavery isn't ancient history that has no bearing on today's world. secondly, I never said you people. lastly, yes I do think their is an agenda behind a subject like this.
I think he meant people using those excuses. He was just stating that U.S. slavery is not that far removed from history as other slavery. It really isn't although some people fail to realize that. I don't think that was an issue, blaming others for the past actions of others. That's why you see bumper stickers that read "Celebrate Diversity" and people loving the batch of presidential hopefuls because it is made up of many different people. People realize that although we're people we should celebrate the difference between each other instead of hating them.
